Friday, October 5, 2012

Two mishaps that caused workers to be contaminated with radiation are the source of a $400,00 fine levied against the Idaho National Laboratory near Idaho Falls.

The U.S. Department of Energy fined the nuclear research laboratory for multiple safety violations, according to Reuters, referring to two incidents in 2011 in which employees were exposed to radiation.

In November of last year, 16 workers were exposed to low-level plutonomium radiation while preparing fuel plates for shipping, just after a worker's hand was contaminated in August 2011.

It turned out the dosages were below acceptable federal regulatory and Energy Department limits, according to the lab's director. But the Energy Department cited the laboratory for failing to take the proper precautions to avoid the exposure.